Moose Lake Star Gazette reports…

The state has recently awarded a $3.6 million grant to expand broadband internet service in currently unserved or underserved portions of Pine and Aitkin counties.

The grant has been issued by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development’s Office of Broadband Development. Officials indicate the funding will allow Savage Communications Inc. to deliver high-speed service to 1,069 locations within the townships of Barry, Finlayson, Hinckley, Kettle River, Norman, Partridge, Pine Lake, Sturgeon Lake, and Wagner, and the city of Rutledge. DEED said SCI plans to offer initial internet speeds of 1 Gbps download and 1 Gbps upload. Farms and businesses are in the project area, as are three township halls.

“It’s great to see more local sites that have lacked access to high-speed internet soon will receive upgraded service,” Dotseth said. “It’s imperative, in today’s electronic age, for residents and businesses in our area to have access to reliable high-speed internet so we can at least be on par with other parts of the state and the world instead of being at a disadvantage.”

The SCI company currently provides service to over 40 communities throughout East Central and Northern Minnesota. Pine County is contributing $75,000 toward the project, which is estimated to cost $7.3 million, DEED said.